Lesson 1: Configuring Windows Defender

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Working with Windows Defender Definitions

Definitions are files that identify and describe potential software threats. Windows

Defender uses definitions to determine if software that it detects is spyware or other poten-

tially unwanted software and then to alert you to potential risks. To help keep your defini-

tions up-to-date, Windows Defender works with Windows Update to automatically install

new definitions as they are released. You can also configure Windows Defender to check

online for updated definitions before scanning.

Controlling Definition Downloads

When you use Windows Defender, you need to keep definitions up-to-date. Because spyware

is continually being developed, Windows Defender relies on up-to-date definitions to deter-

mine if software that is trying to install, run, or change settings on your computer is potentially

unwanted or malicious. Windows Defender works with your Windows Update settings to

automatically install the latest definitions.

You can set Windows Vista to automatically install important and recommended updates or to

install important updates only. Important updates can offer significant benefits, such as

improved security and reliability. Recommended updates can address noncritical problems

and help enhance your users’ computing experience.

If you do not want Windows Vista to install updates automatically, you can instead configure

a notification that warns you when your computer requires updates, so you can download and

install them yourself. Alternatively, you can set Windows Vista to automatically download

updates and then notify you so you can install them yourself.

To do this, you open Windows Update from the All Programs menu and click Change Settings.

You can then select the automatic updating option that you want in the dialog box shown in

Figure 6-6. These options apply to all Windows updates, not only to spyware definitions. To

get important and recommended updates for your computer, select the Include Recom-

mended Updates When Downloading, Installing, Or Notifying Me About Updates check box

under Recommended Updates.

You can also automatically check for new spyware definitions before carrying out scheduled

scans. To do this, you open Windows Defender, click Tools, and then click Options. You can

then scroll to Automatic Scanning, ensure that the Automatically Scan My Computer (Recom-

mended) check box is selected, and select the Check For Updated Definitions Before Scanning

check box. This check box was shown in Figure 6-5. You then click Save and either supply

administrator credentials or give permission to continue as prompted.